Lee FCD (pistol, not rifle) the Virtue and the Vice

[1SOW]

I've had good experience with the Lee FCD loading 9mm Luger using a taper crimp.
The FCD I have is smooth internally and doesn't resize "slightly" (.356) oversized plated bullets or FMJ. Set properly, pulled plated or fmj bullets are unmarked by the FCD, but the taper crimp closes the belling nicely. I don't use lead.

I have used it for other than intended purposes--maybe mis-used it. Have you ever seated a pistol bullet and 'felt' it seat too easily and too deep? I have. Maybe a thinner/softer/over-used case or whatever. I mark these cases for later disposal.
I use an inertial hammer to "lightly" bump the bullet back out to a longer than the desired oal length. The case has been expanded down where the "too deep" bullet base was. The FCD will contact this area and slightly resize it, enough neck tension is restored to adequately seat, hold the bullet and reapply a taper crimp.. Right or wrong, it can work well enough to function and still be accurate. I only do this with light range loads.

 

[Bovice]

Lol another whining thread about the FCD.

The issue only occurs with oversized lead. Shoot all your ammo uncrimped, snag case mouths at the feed ramp all day, or seat and crimp in one step and get an awful excuse for a crimp. I don't care. Why do you insist on keeping the crusade against the fcd going? We get it, you like your bullets oversized. I like mine correctly sized and crimped at the case mouth with a nice uniform taper crimp. I've NEVER had any of my FCDs cause a "loss of case neck tension". And then there's the claim of lost accuracy. That's a flat out lie.

Loading lead oversized bullets has issues all its own, but those same issues don't plague jacketed shooters.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Lol another whining thread about the FCD.

The issue only occurs with oversized lead. Shoot all your ammo uncrimped, snag case mouths at the feed ramp all day, or seat and crimp in one step and get an awful excuse for a crimp. I don't care. Why do you insist on keeping the crusade against the fcd going? We get it, you like your bullets oversized. I like mine correctly sized and crimped at the case mouth with a nice uniform taper crimp. I've NEVER had any of my FCDs cause a "loss of case neck tension". And then there's the claim of lost accuracy. That's a flat out lie.

Loading lead oversized bullets has issues all its own, but those same issues don't plague jacketed shooters.

When I started this thread I was hoping to merely clear up the question of when the Post-sizing is useful, when it hurts and when it makes no never mind.

Secondary goal was to let a reasoned, rational and calm discussion of the merits and drawbacks grow.

For the most part that has happened. Sure, there has been a little whining, but less rancor and prejudice than some threads. And even those who APPEAR to have some prejudice do seem to be engaged in an earnest debate (and listening to well-made and well-supported assertions).

I could hardly ask for more than that.

I say, let the learning continue for as long as an open and honest debate allows.

Lost Sheep

 

[jim243]

Way too many electrons have been spent on this topic.

The purpose of the Lee Factory Crimp die is for reloading "Revolver" ammo and for rifles that use pistol ammo as well. In addition there are two other benefits of using the Lee FCD, the first is insuring that the flared mouth of the case is properly put back to SAMMI specs which is not done by the seating die. Just screw the stem out so that a crimp is not placed on the case, I do this all the time and have no failure to feeds at all.
The second benefit is using the FCD with the Lee "Bulge Buster" kit to remove all bulges in the case from firearms that do not have fully supported chambers (Gen 1,2 & 3 Glocks as an example). And I do this for all my straight wall cases 380, 40 S&W and 45 ACP's (Auto).

I hope this answers all questions.

Jim

918, what in the world is your picture of, it is not a Lee FCD that is for sure.

This is what the FCD for pistol looks like.

 

[GT1]

Way too many electrons have been spent on this topic.

I agree, it has been beat to death on every forum I frequent. Haters are gonna hate, and users are going to keep using. All the rest is just fluff.

 

[Lost Sheep]

(edited for brevity)

918, what in the world is your picture of, it is not a Lee FCD that is for sure.

This is what the FCD for pistol looks like.

The picture I believe you are referring to is of the crimping collar (or ring) which floats inside the die you have pictured.

Way too many electrons have been spent on this topic.

I agree, it has been beat to death on every forum I frequent. Haters are gonna hate, and users are going to keep using. All the rest is just fluff.

Perhaps the topic is worn out, but I don't believe so. I still (incurable optimist) believe that minds can be open, new facts learned and new points of view accommodated. There is substance hiding beneath the fluff.

Lost Sheep

 

[Lost Sheep]

EVERYONE who read this thread should read this

Post #3 on this thread

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/65863-lee-fcd-pistol-not-rifle-virtue-vice.html#post818877

Thank you, Iowegan. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I don't agree 100% with EVERY opinion he holds, but the post is... well you owe it to yourself to read, think and form your own opinion.

Lost Sheep

 

[WaywardSon]

Lost Sheep....Thank you for that link! Although I frequent that forum as well, I had not seen that thread.

I am however, familiar with the poster Iowegen, and have enough experience with reloading to understand that when this gentleman speaks...a prudent man pays attention. Nuff said.

 

[RustyFN]

EVERYONE who read this thread should read this

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Post #3 on this thread

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/6586...tml#post818877

Thank you, Iowegan. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I don't agree 100% with EVERY opinion he holds, but the post is... well you owe it to yourself to read, think and form your own opinion.

Lost

Sheep

Interesting read. Now the only problem is I have seen other people do similar tests and have the opposite results. So all that tells me is his FCD was smaller than spec or his lead bullets were oversized. I have done some testing with loading lead bullets and then pulling them and measuring them after pulled. I know for a fact that none of my lead bullets are being swagged down and they are accurate. I don't own a chrono.